Sony
Electronics is about to ship six new Grand WEGA rear projection HDTV
sets that will be fully integrated Digital Cable Ready (DCR), as well
as two high-definition digital video recorders. The DVRs feature an
integrated hard disk drive for recording and control of live
broadcasts, as well as the TV Guide On Screen interactive program guide
for easy program searching and automatic scheduled recording.

Grand WEGA LCD Rear Projection Digital Cable Ready Models

The new Grand WEGA micro-display LCD rear projection television line
has six new fully integrated HDTV models, in addition to the two models
currently available. Available in a range of 42-, 50-, 55- and 60-inch
screen sizes, these televisions utilize a proprietary LCD Optical
Engine with Sony's WEGA Engine system to deliver detailed picture
quality from any compatible video source by minimizing the
digital-to-analog conversion process. These Grand WEGA models are based
on a 3LCD panel technology, providing natural colors and high
brightness.

The new Grand WEGA offers:

- An integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner for access to over-the-air digital
high definition broadcasts, as well as digital cable programming;
- HDMI technology with HDCP (High Definition Multimedia Interface with
High Definition Copy Protection) technology, which is the latest
interconnect between digital sources, supporting both uncompressed high
definition video and multi-channel digital audio through a single
cable. HDMI is an enhanced version of DVI-HDTV and is backward
compatible;
- Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction circuitry, which provides
control over the level of DRC circuitry depending on quality of input
signal, displaying clearer images;
- WEGA Engine technology with MID-X Multi Image Driver, which maintains
the integrity of a converted signal by minimizing image loss in the
scaling process and provides flexible Twin-view picture and picture
features;
- CineMotion reverse 3:2 pull-down circuitry for optimum film-based video source display; and
- A Memory Stick media slot for convenient JPEG and MPEG1 file
playback. It can also display customized slide show with MP3 file
background music. The new sets are compatible with Memory Stick PRO and
Memory Stick Duo media formats.

The Grand WEGA line consists of the KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655,
KDF-55WF655, and KDF-60WF655 models. These sets will be available for
about $2,800, $3,300, $3,700 and $4,000, respectively, while the
step-up KDF-55XS955 and KDF-60XS955 models will be available for about
$4,000 and $4,400.

High-Definition Digital Video Recorders

Sony’s new HD digital video recorders, the DHG-HDD250 and the
DHG-HDD500, will provide access to encrypted high-definition and
standard-definition digital cable services when paired with a digital
decoder device and a digital cable subscription. They also provide
access to analog cable services, as well as such non-subscription
services like high definition digital terrestrial and analog
broadcasts.

The DHG-HDD500 digital video recorder can record and store up to 400
hours of standard definition (SD) programming or at least 60 hours of
maximum bit rate high-definition content with its 500 GB of storage
capacity. The DHG-HDD250 will record up to 200 hours of SD programming
and at least 30 hours of HD content on its internal 250 GB hard drive.

The DHG-HDD500 and DHG-HDD250 will also include:

- Pause, rewind and record live high-definition TV with no recording subscription fees and no equipment rental
- Free TV Guide On Screen interactive program guide with easy program
searching and automatic scheduled recording (where available);
- HDMI or Component (YPbPr) high-definition outputs;
- Several standard-definition analog outputs for connection to recording equipment or analog TVs; and
- Multiple display formats and flexible aspect ratio settings for
outstanding reproduction of all broadcast formats on a wide variety of
DTVs.

The DHG-HDD250 and the DHG-HDD500 digital video recorders will be
available with MSRPs of about $799 and $999, respectively.